My Brother's Keeper

From the time I was small, my mother told me I was my little brother's second mother. Hence, from age four, every mistake Danny Hartley made became mine to bear. When Danny dirtied the floor, I scrubbed it clean with a rag, inch by inch. When Danny stole, I wrote the apology letters.

Then, I turned seven, and Danny accidentally hurt the convenience store owner's son. When the heavyset Hugo Osborn came to our door, Danny pointed at me without hesitation. "Sienna did it!"

Mom did not hesitate either. She shoved me toward him.

"Mr. Osborn, I didn't raise her right. That's on me. Take my daughter. Beat her, scold her, do whatever you want."

What she had not known was that once Mr. Osborn took me away, I would never come back.

"You hurt my son, so I'm going to beat you to death!" The heavyset Mr. Osborn grabbed me and snarled at Danny, who stood frozen in terror. "I'll make sure you learn what happens when you go around hitting people at your age!"

He yanked me forward so hard that I stumbled. I looked at Mom, desperate for help. I wanted her to say something—anything. Just once. However, she would not even look at me. She just kept bowing and nodding at him.

None of this made sense.

Mom had already paid the medical bills for Mr. Osborn's. She had even given him 200 dollars to buy candy with. Mr. Osborn said he had forgiven Danny, so why was I still being punished?

A strange sensation on my arm snapped me back. Mr. Osborn was stroking my skin with his thumb. When I looked up, I saw the odd smile on his face. I tried to pull away, but his grip was too strong.

"No! You can't take her!"

Danny rushed forward and wrapped his arms around Mom's legs. Tears poured down his cheeks.

"A child who has done something wrong needs to face the consequences!"

Something flickered across Mom's face, though I could not quite place it. Then, she frowned, her expression turning severe.

Danny only cried harder. He dropped to his knees and started slamming his forehead against the floor. "It was me! I hit your son, not Sienna! Please, just let her go!"

The sight jolted me into action. I fought against Mr. Osborn's grip, trying desperately to reach Mom. She pulled Danny to his feet and stepped back. "Whatever you want to do, she's yours to handle."

When she turned away, the truth finally hit me. She was really leaving me behind.

I watched them walk farther and farther down the street. Panic clawed at my throat. I wanted to scream after them.

Before I could make a sound, Mr. Osborn's hand clamped over my mouth. He dragged me into the storage room behind his shop.

Inside, his expression softened. He offered me candy and said he would be good to me, that I did not need to be scared. I was not